Drive to Playa from Texas

[TexasUSA]

Has anyone made this journey recently? If so, please provide port of entry and how safe you felt the drive was. Thanks!

[wasabiloco]

My wife and I have made the trip three times in the last year. We have had no difficulties. We drove from Laredo. Traveled with a dog.

My biggest recommendation is to always top up your tank when you get to a quarter tank. It's not always easy to find a Pemex. Almost ran out of gas a couple of times. One time I had to buy some off the back of a truck at a toll station.

Other than that it's all good.

[absoluteAL]

Originally Posted by TexasUSA

Has anyone made this journey recently? If so, please provide port of entry and how safe you felt the drive was. Thanks!

Done the drive 5 times from US and never any problems. Had always crossed the border at Nuevo Progresso (southeast of McAllen, Texas and just south of Weslaco, Texas). A recent story on CNN was about Nuevo Progresso and what drug cartels/drug wars have done to that area. So don't use that crossing. Hit your chosen border crossing early morning and get as far away from border as possible. Never a problem finding gas in MX. Get a good GPS w/MX maps in it (I use a Garmin Nuvi). I prefer getting my Temporary Import Sticker in advance (through Banjercito website) so I don't have to fool around with it at the border. The usual, don't drive at night and watch your surroundings. My last crossing/drive was a little more than 6 months ago.

[angelhouston819]

Originally Posted by TexasUSA

Has anyone made this journey recently? If so, please provide port of entry and how safe you felt the drive was. Thanks!

contact JimmyMN from here. he did it recently with Vikki.



A'

[JimmyMN]

Originally Posted by TexasUSA

Has anyone made this journey recently? If so, please provide port of entry and how safe you felt the drive was. Thanks!

Last time I crossed the border was during the first week in April, but I was heading northbound to Dallas. Had to leave the city of Tampico by 5am to cross the border by 2pm. So if you're heading south from Tampico, its 12-13 hours to the next large city, Veracruz. I'd be glad to give you some good hotel recommendations for both cities that offer secure parking.

Your biggest concern for driving in Mexico is that stretch between the border and Tampico. Like Al says, gas up, snack up, and leave the border early... and don't consider stopping until you're at least 5 hours out. Also, take the cutoff through Soto La Marina... do not pass through Ciudad Victoria. For me, I turned my awareness level all the way up, really paying close attention to other vehicles. When I could, I'd tuck in behind a couple of trucks or a bus and let them blaze a trail. I was especially alert for multi-occupied vehicles approaching from behind (or parked along the road) and any suspicious vehicles making a u-turn.

By the way, I always cross at Nuevo Progreso too but I tried to find info on the CNN article that Al mentioned and I came up with a big nothing. If you do go through Matamoros, be sure you have a detailed map so you get directly onto Highway-180/101 and not into some high risk neighborhood.

If you'd like some personal help, send me a private message. Also, do not make the trip without ordering the Guia Roji - Atlas de Carreteras... it's much better than a GPS. Then again, a GPS is handy for finding your way out of the larger cities. I used a TomTom (XXL 540S) with Mexico maps built in.

Jimmy

[Sue]

Originally Posted by wasabiloco

My wife and I have made the trip three times in the last year. We have had no difficulties. We drove from Laredo. Traveled with a dog.

My biggest recommendation is to always top up your tank when you get to a quarter tank. It's not always easy to find a Pemex. Almost ran out of gas a couple of times. One time I had to buy some off the back of a truck at a toll station.

Other than that it's all good.

I would appreciate some tips on dog friendly hotels throughout the journey, as I'm planning to take Barney there in November.

[snappysammy]

Originally Posted by Sue

I would appreciate some tips on dog friendly hotels throughout the journey, as I'm planning to take Barney there in November.

my tip is to get someone to make the drive with you

i have made the trip many times
i like the international bridge crossing south of harlingen
you don't need to go thru matamoros
i hope to be making another trip again soon
i have never had any problems

[Sol]

Originally Posted by Sue

I would appreciate some tips on dog friendly hotels throughout the journey, as I'm planning to take Barney there in November.

Pet travel.com has info on that.

[Sue]

Originally Posted by snappysammy

my tip is to get someone to make the drive with you

i have made the trip many times
i like the international bridge crossing south of harlingen
you don't need to go thru matamoros
i hope to be making another trip again soon
i have never had any problems

I believe Jimmy and I are driving down.

[snappysammy]

Originally Posted by Sue

I believe Jimmy and I are driving down.

i'm very pleased to hear that, cupcake

[roni]

Dave from Ontario is da man

Brownsville to Merida

[Sue]

Originally Posted by roni

Dave from Ontario is da man

Brownsville to Merida

This looks very helpful! Thanks!

[PlayaRocks!]

Greetings! Three months ago a similar question was asked by woman wanting to drive down here with three other single ladies in a brand new convertible or something.
They had similar questions/concerns as yours.
Do any of the regulars remember that thread? Did we ever hear from them again?
Did the ladies make the trip and post a trip report?

I've never made the drive myself but many regulars have. You should get good advice here.
Good luck and have fun!

[TexasUSA]

Thank you all so much for your information. We plan on driving from Dallas to McAllen on Saturday, July 31. Cross the border by foot that eve to do the paperwork. And then drive across the border Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. We are going to take AbsoluteAl's advice and do the car registraton on-line (thank you for the advice Al!). Our plan is Dallas to McAllen, McAllen to Tampico, Tampico to Vera Cruz, Vera Cruz to Campeche and then onto Playa for our 6 month stay! We would like info on where to stay along the way JimmyMN. We are looking forward to this adventure and we really appreciate the valuable information you all have provided!
Pat & Cheryl

[ANDY]

Originally Posted by TexasUSA

Thank you all so much for your information. We plan on driving from Dallas to McAllen on Saturday, July 31. Cross the border by foot that eve to do the paperwork. And then drive across the border Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. We are going to take AbsoluteAl's advice and do the car registraton on-line (thank you for the advice Al!). Our plan is Dallas to McAllen, McAllen to Tampico, Tampico to Vera Cruz, Vera Cruz to Campeche and then onto Playa for our 6 month stay! We would like info on where to stay along the way JimmyMN. We are looking forward to this adventure and we really appreciate the valuable information you all have provided!
Pat & Cheryl

Good luck guys, have a safe trip and let us know how ya got on, hopefully meet you for a beer when you get down .